Re: The Boston Celtics Mailing List Digest V8 #374

[GuyClinch@AOL.com]

Hello all,

> Battie and Vitaly hit the medium jumper as well as any big men.  And that's 
> a higher percentage shot that most that Antoine throws up.  I cringe when 
> Walker cruises down the lane and throws up a left-handed hook (or other 
> shooter's shots); he just doesn't have those shots.  Those shots take real 
> athletic ability, which he lacks.  Kenny and JJ have that but not Antoine.  
> So we would be much better off passing to a standing jumper from one of our 
> big men.
> 

 Walker's shot selection is indeed very poor. This idea that we need Walker 
to shoot
thirty times a game is a rather weak argument put forth by the Walker 
apologists.

Lets go through some of the lame excuses used to justify Walker's terrible 
shot
selection.

1) He is taking those shots because he is forced to.
    
Bzz...watch the game. Walker takes numerous shots not when time is running
out, or they are being smothered by defense, but just because he feels like 
jacking something up. Walker never methodically works to get his team the
best shot.

2) Walker should be shooting alot...no one else can hit shots on the 
talentless Celts.
  
Bzz..again. Walker is a talent...but he isn't so talented that his contested 
hard
shots are a better play then passing it off to another player. This is 
clearly reflected by the fact that he is shooting 30%. If we need someone to 
throw up a last minute tough shot let it be Pierce for chrissake.
     
90% of the time though Kenny, Battie, or Joe Johnson would be better suited
to taking the shot. Contrary to the imagination of these Walker apologists 
the     other starters are not that far off from Walker talent wise.

Kenny like Walker made the All-Star team and even propelled the lowly NJ Nets 
to some level of success in his early years. Battie while not the ball 
handler Walker is, is a much better athlete and has some touch from the 
outside. And Joe Johnson while a rookie SEEMS altogther more talented then 
Walker offensively at this point in time.  JOB seems to think he is Walker 
and Pierce rolled into one. Though that could be wishful thinking.

So why the rest of the team isn't world beaters...they are capable, IMHO.
Most of the bench players can score some too..

Make no mistake though..this team has only one great player and his name
is Paul Pierce. Walker is a nice all-around talent, but then again so is 
Derrick Coleman.

In fact I think the opposite is true..
The remaining Celts aren't roleplayers with a lack off offensive talent. They 
have offensive talent but lack shot blockers and rebonders.

The Celts have enough offensive talent IMHO...what they lack is a big strong 
athletic
shot blocker Dale Davis type of player. The scoring talent is there..without
Walker's "help."

I have a feeling that K. Brown will someday undergo a Reggie Lewis type 
breakout..
as well. He seems shy..reminds me of Reggie in that way.

Pete